RENEWAL HAS ALWAYS BEEN OUR CALL.

The Archdiocese has changed in significant ways over the past several decades. Demographics have shifted dramatically, some buildings are in disrepair, and we have fewer priests to pastor. Yet, at the same lime, there is new life as immigrants continue to make Chicagoland their home, as we ordain enthusiastic and energetic new priests and as we live in the historic time when Pope Francis is leading us to live in the joy of the Gospel. Thus, we should not be afraid to face our challenges, but embrace them, seeing this moment as a graced opportunity to chart new ways to live out our mission more fully.

WE ARE CALLED TO MAKE ALL THINGS NEW IN CHRIST.Christ called St. Francis of Assisi to "Rebuild My Church." As we are reminded by the image of the San Damiano Cross, Christ called Francis to, "Go, rebuild my church." Francis came to understand that Christ was calling him to renew the Church, and not just rebuild a structure. That is the task before us.Pope Francis has called us to dream big for the Church. "I dream of a 'missionary option', that is, a missionary impulse capable of transforming everything so that the Church's customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structures can be suitably channeled for the evangelization of today's world rather than for her self-preservation."Archbishop Cupich is calling us to renew the Church in Chicago. "Just as our ancestors responded in faith to their dreams and built the church we have today, it is our time to dream big and to take up this work."